The Stocky Galaxias is only known from one locality – the headwaters of Tantangara Creek, upstream of the Tantangara Reservoir, Kosciusko National Park NSW. It is restricted by trout to a 4km stretch of the creek above a waterfall, approximately 4km from the source.
The Stocky Galaxias is a small fish with a distinctly stocky body. The body is predominantly dark olive to brown on the back becoming lighter brown to cream underneath.
Stocky Galaxias can be confused with various other galaxid species.